Beginning in 2027, federal tax policy will create a national framework for K–12 scholarships through the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. The credit allows individual taxpayers to claim a nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying cash contributions to approved scholarship-granting organizations in states that elect to participate. Eligible students generally must be […]
When people talk about the future of education, the conversation often swings between extremes. On one side: predictions that artificial intelligence or new technology will completely transform learning overnight. On the other: arguments that the education system is too broken to fix at all. Our Executive Director, Jefferson Pestronk, believes the real answer is probably […]
When learners register for Modern States, they have the opportunity to ask questions or provide context to us through the open-ended question, “Anything else you want us to know?” This serves as a temperature check of how learners are feeling just before they start their Modern States journey. While not every learner answers this question, […]
By Jefferson Pestronk, Executive Director, Modern States Education Alliance A few years ago, I read a blog post by Steph Smith, growth marketer at Nvidia, titled “How to Be Great? Just Be Good, Repeatably.” In the blog, Smith writes: … I realized that it was not the sporadic highs that were exceptional, but instead the […]
One of the ways Modern States supports learning is by giving learners the flexibility to engage with course material at their own pace. Consistent with that commitment, learners can reattempt quizzes to check their understanding, revisit challenging concepts, build confidence over time, and earn the 75% average ultimately required to unlock each course’s final exam. […]
Over $59 Million in College Savings! Modern States’ 2025 Highlights Modern States turned 8 years old in August. We like to think – and our 2025 highlights reinforce – that we’re getting better with age. Tens of thousands of learners and educators are able to pursue their college dreams and their college degree while managing […]
For many learners, navigating the path to a college degree can feel overwhelming. Tuition rates can be cost-prohibitive, college schedules can be inflexible, and balancing school with work or family commitments is challenging. An approach called credit by exam is a tool to make higher education more affordable and accessible. Credit by exam allows students […]
Twenty-five teams of college students worked feverishly in Columbus, Ohio, racing against the clock during JPMorganChase’s Code for Good Hackathon earlier this month. The event is part of the firm’s Tech for Social Good program and each Hackathon brings together changemakers and nonprofit organizations to solve real-world problems, allowing students to “showcase their tech skills […]
One of the most powerful ways we honor military service is through education. Since the creation of the GI Bill following World War II, education benefits have helped generations of service members transition to civilian life, learn new skills, and open doors of opportunity. In fact, research shows that education benefits are one of the […]
According to a BestCollege.com article citing findings from the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 4 million adult learners were enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in the U.S. in fall 2023; these students accounted for 24% of the overall 16.4 million undergrads. Returning to school as an adult can feel overwhelming – especially when […]
